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Grant FAQs

General questions and answers about applying for a grant.

  1. How many grants do you award each year?
  2. What is the average size and duration of your grants?
  3. Do you make grants to for-profit organizations?
  4. If we have one RWJF grant, can we apply for a different RWJF grant?
  5. Do you accept unsolicited proposals?
  6. What are your deadlines for receipt of unsolicited proposals?
  7. What percentage of unsolicited grant applications receive support?
  8. Do you have formal application forms?
  9. How long does it take for a proposal to be approved?
  10. What are the most common reasons a proposal is declined?
  11. Are proposals reviewed by experts from outside of RWJF?
  12. Can you share a copy of a successful proposal?
  13. What are indirect costs, and how does RWJF handle them?

  1. How many grants do you award each year? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    In 2007, RWJF made more than 800 awards. The amount varies from year to year.

  2. What is the average size and duration of your grants? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    Amounts awarded and time periods vary widely and depend on the scope of the project. Over the last five years, we have made awards ranging from $1,200 to $50 million with time periods ranging from one month to five years. However, most grants are in the $100,000 to $300,000 range, and run from one to three years.

    The RWJF Annual Report contains a complete listing of grants awarded in a given year.

  3. Do you make grants to for-profit organizations? (Answer last updated on Apr 25, 2008)

    The vast majority of our funding is to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Historically, less than one percent of our funding has been to for-profit organizations, and always in instances where the institution's project is an excellent fit with our strategies and we felt they were best suited to do the work.

  4. If we have one RWJF grant, can we apply for a different RWJF grant? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    You may apply for multiple grants from RWJF, but each proposal must be for a distinct project.

  5. Do you accept unsolicited proposals? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    We accept unsolicited proposals for our Building Human Capital, Pioneer and Vulnerable Populations program areas only. All other program areas periodically issue calls for proposals for ideas from the field.

  6. What are your deadlines for receipt of unsolicited proposals? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    There are no deadlines for submitting unsolicited proposals. However, please note that we only accept unsolicited proposals for our Building Human Capital, Pioneer and Vulnerable Populations program areas. All other program areas periodically issue calls for proposals for ideas from the field.

  7. What percentage of unsolicited grant applications receive support? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    The Foundation receives a large number of unsolicited proposals each year and funds approximately one in 10; funded projects generally fit squarely within our strategic objectives. In 2007, the Foundation awarded approximately 60 unsolicited grants in the areas for which we accept unsolicited proposals: Building Human Capital, Pioneer and Vulnerable Populations.

    All proposals submitted according to the established guidelines will receive a fair, comprehensive review. The Foundation does not provide critiques of proposals submitted. Please understand that if we decline a particular proposal, it is not a reflection of our opinion regarding the merit of your idea, nor is it a rejection of you, the grant applicant. In fact, many current grantees have had earlier proposals turned down.

  8. Do you have formal application forms? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    Yes. If you are applying for a grant via a call for proposals (CFP), please follow the application instructions as outlined in the CFP. Due to the differences of each CFP, the application process can vary. View available calls for proposals.

    If you are applying for an unsolicited grant, you must initiate the process by submitting a brief proposal form. Learn how to submit an unsolicited proposal. Please note that we only accept unsolicited proposals for our Building Human Capital, Pioneer and Vulnerable Populations program areas.

  9. How long does it take for a proposal to be approved?

    For calls for proposals: If a two-step process is used, which involves submitting a brief proposal and then a full proposal, the review and approval time is between four and seven months. When only a full proposal is required, the review and approval process is about three to four months.

    For unsolicited proposals: The amount of time from receipt of proposal to award varies greatly depending on the complexity of the project; however, awards for unsolicited proposals typically take an average of four months.

  10. What are the most common reasons a proposal is declined? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    There are several reasons why the Foundation may decide to decline a proposal; however, some of the most commonly declined proposals are those that:
    • do not fall within the guidelines of What We Fund
    • do not follow our general grantmaking guidelines
    • are not new or innovative
    • are more appropriately funded by another organization, either public or private
    • are not sustainable without reliance on RWJF funding
    • are not likely to generate significant long-term impact
    • are similar to projects we are already funding.

  11. Are proposals reviewed by experts from outside of RWJF? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    In many instances, RWJF asks outside experts on a particular topic to review proposals. By doing so, RWJF aims to ensure that we remain fair and rigorous in evaluating proposals.

  12. Can you share a copy of a successful proposal? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    No, we consider proposals the intellectual property of the applicant and do not share them outside the Foundation.

  13. What are indirect costs, and how does RWJF handle them? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    Indirect costs, or overhead, are those costs that are not easily identifiable in an economically feasible way as exclusively related to a particular project but are necessary to conduct the grant. Some examples of these costs are human resources department costs, payroll processing and accounting costs, janitorial services, utilities, property taxes, property and liability insurance, and building maintenance.

    As of July 1, 2006, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's indirect costs rate for new grants is 12 percent. This rate only applies to new grant awards that started July 1, 2006, or later.

    The 12 percent rate applies to all line items. However, if the Purchased Services category of a budget is more than 33 percent of direct costs, then the indirect cost rate allowed on that category is 4 percent.

    Applicants with a different indirect cost rate or other questions should call RWJF at (609) 627-5845. Grantees should contact their grants administrators.

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